Effects of a 3-Minute Standing Stretch on Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Pratt ◽  
Richard Bohannon

Context:Stretching exercise regimens are routinely prescribed to increase range of motion (ROM) and diminish injuries.Objective:To examine the effect of a 3-minute passive stretch on ankle-dorsiflexion ROM in a nonpathological population.Setting:University laboratory.Design:Prospective, randomized, controlled study.Participants:24 apparently healthy volunteers.Interventions:Subjects stood with their heels suspended from the edge of a platform. The experimental subjects stretched for 3 minutes on 3 consecutive days.Main Outcome Measures:Passive ankle-dorsiflexion ROM.Results:Ankle-dorsiflexion ROM increased significantly (P< .0005) over the course of each day’s stretch. No significant gains in ankle-dorsiflexion ROM were realized over 3 days.Conclusions:These findings suggest the need for further research to determine the stretching frequency and duration that will result in lasting increases in ankle-dorsiflexion ROM

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Bruno Augusto Lima Coelho ◽  
Helena Larissa das Neves Rodrigues ◽  
Gabriel Peixoto Leão Almeida ◽  
Sílvia Maria Amado João

Context: Restriction in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) has been previously associated with excessive dynamic knee valgus. This, in turn, has been correlated with knee pain in women with patellofemoral pain. Objectives: To investigate the immediate effect of 3 ankle mobilization techniques on dorsiflexion ROM, dynamic knee valgus, knee pain, and patient perceptions of improvement in women with patellofemoral pain and ankle dorsiflexion restriction. Design: Randomized controlled trial with 3 arms. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Participants: A total of 117 women with patellofemoral pain who display ankle dorsiflexion restriction were divided into 3 groups: ankle mobilization with anterior tibia glide (n = 39), ankle mobilization with posterior tibia glide (n = 39), and ankle mobilization with anterior and posterior tibia glide (n = 39). Intervention(s): The participants received a single session of ankle mobilization with movement technique. Main Outcome Measures: Dorsiflexion ROM (weight-bearing lunge test), dynamic knee valgus (frontal plane projection angle), knee pain (numeric pain rating scale), and patient perceptions of improvement (global perceived effect scale). The outcome measures were collected at the baseline, immediate postintervention (immediate reassessment), and 48 hours postintervention (48 h reassessment). Results: There were no significant differences between the 3 treatment groups regarding dorsiflexion ROM and patient perceptions of improvement. Compared with mobilization with anterior and posterior tibia glide, mobilization with anterior tibia glide promoted greater increase in dynamic knee valgus (P = .02) and greater knee pain reduction (P = .02) at immediate reassessment. Also compared with mobilization with anterior and posterior tibia glide, mobilization with posterior tibia glide promoted greater knee pain reduction (P < .01) at immediate reassessment. Conclusion: In our sample, the direction of the tibia glide in ankle mobilization accounted for significant changes only in dynamic knee valgus and knee pain in the immediate reassessment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (03) ◽  
pp. 2050006
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Fahmy

Purpose: Evaluate the reliability of the early functional recovery and postoperative pain control using adductor canal block (ACB) compared with that using femoral nerve block (FNB) in patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR). Patients and Methods: A total of 80 patients scheduled for TKR were randomly and blindly distributed into two groups (40 patients each). Group A received ACB and group F received FNB. The early quadriceps strength, range of motion and pain control were assessed after surgery during the first 48[Formula: see text]h. Results: Patients in group F had significantly less quadriceps power postoperatively than those in group A. There were no significant differences between the two studied groups as regard ambulation, range of motion and pain estimation. Conclusion: Since both blocks have comparable analgesic effect and opioid consumption rates, the increased quadriceps muscle strength and ability to ambulate on the first postoperative day is the driving factor in selecting the ACB. With the findings discussed in our study and in literature, an ACB is a viable option in place of a FNB in patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty. Additional large participant randomized controlled studies should be conducted to further discover the benefits of an ACB in patients undergoing a total knee arthroplasty.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob J. Janicki ◽  
Craig L. Switzler ◽  
Bradley T. Hayes ◽  
Charlie A. Hicks-Little

Context:Functional movement screening (FMS) has been gaining popularity in the fields of sports medicine and performance. Currently, limited research has examined whether FMS screening that identifies low FMS scores is attributed primarily to limits in range of motion (ROM).Objective:To compare scores from the FMS hurdle-step movement with ROM measurements for ankle dorsiflexion and hip flexion (HF).Design:Correlational research design.Setting:Sports medicine research laboratory.Participants:20 healthy active male (age 21.2 ± 2.4 y, weight 77.8 ± 10.2 kg, height 180.8 ± 6.8 cm) and 20 healthy active female (21.3 ± 2.0 y, 67.3 ± 8.9 kg, 167.4 ± 6.6 cm) volunteers.Intervention:All 40 participants completed 3 trials of the hurdle-step exercise bilaterally and goniometric ROM measurements for active ankle dorsiflexion and HF.Main Outcome Measures:Correlations were determined between ROM and FMS scores for right and left legs. In addition, mean data were compared between FMS scores, gender, and dominant and nondominant limbs.Results:There were no significant correlations present when all participants were grouped. However, when separated by gender significant correlations were identified. There was a weak correlation with HF and both hurdle-step (HS) and average hurdle-step (AHS) scores on both left (r = .536, P = .015 and r = .512, P = .012) and right (r = .445, P = .049 and r = .565, P = .009) legs for women. For men, there was a poor negative correlation of HF and both HS and AHS on the left leg (r = –.452, P = .045 and r = .451, P = .046).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that although hip and ankle ROMs do not have a strong relationship with FMS hurdle-step scores, they are a contributing factor. More research should be conducted to identify other biomechanical factors that contribute to individual FMS test scores.


2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1226-1232 ◽  
Author(s):  
In-cheol Jeon ◽  
Oh-yun Kwon ◽  
Chung-Hwi Yi ◽  
Heon-Seock Cynn ◽  
Ui-jae Hwang

Context  A variety of ankle self-stretching exercises have been recommended to improve ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) in individuals with limited ankle dorsiflexion. A strap can be applied to stabilize the talus and facilitate anterior glide of the distal tibia at the talocrural joint during ankle self-stretching exercises. Novel ankle self-stretching using a strap (SSS) may be a useful method of improving ankle DFROM. Objective  To compare the effects of 2 ankle-stretching techniques (static stretching versus SSS) on ankle DFROM. Design  Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting  University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants  Thirty-two participants with limited active dorsiflexion (&lt;20°) while sitting (14 women and 18 men) were recruited. Main Outcome Measure(s)  The participants performed 2 ankle self-stretching techniques (static stretching and SSS) for 3 weeks. Active DFROM (ADFROM), passive DFROM (PDFROM), and the lunge angle were measured. An independent t test was used to compare the improvements in these values before and after the 2 stretching interventions. The level of statistical significance was set at α = .05. Results  Active DFROM and PDFROM were greater in both stretching groups after the 3-week interventions. However, ADFROM, PDFROM, and the lunge angle were greater in the SSS group than in the static-stretching group (P &lt; .05). Conclusions  Ankle SSS is recommended to improve ADFROM, PDFROM, and the lunge angle in individuals with limited DFROM.


2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie A. Johanson ◽  
Brian J. Cuda ◽  
Jonathan E. Koontz ◽  
Julia C. Stell ◽  
Thomas A. Abelew

Context:Stretching exercises are commonly prescribed for patients and healthy individuals with limited extensibility of the gastrocnemius muscle.Objective:To determine effects of gastrocnemius stretching on ankle dorsiflexion, knee extension, and gastrocnemius muscle activity during gait.Design:Randomized-control trial.Setting:Biomechanical laboratory.Participants:Sixteen volunteers (9 men and 7 women, mean age = 27 y) with less than 5° of passive ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion randomly assigned to an experimental or control group.Intervention:The experimental group performed gastrocnemius stretching for 3 wk.Main Outcome Measures:Maximum ankle dorsiflexion, maximum knee extension, and EMG amplitude of the gastrocnemius muscles were measured between heel strike and heel-off before and after intervention.Results:No significant effect of group or time was found on maximum ankle dorsiflexion, maximum knee extension, or EMG activity of the medial or lateral gastrocnemius muscles between heel strike and heel-off. The experimental group had significantly greater passive ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion bilaterally at posttest than the control group.Conclusions:Stretching did not alter joint angles or gastrocnemius muscle activity in the early to midstance phase of gait.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1945.2-1945
Author(s):  
E. Kaya Mutlu ◽  
T. Birinci ◽  
S. Kilic

Background:Frozen shoulder has a greater incidence, more severe course, and resistance to treatment in patients. Management is based on the underlying cause of pain and stiffness. Joint mobilization has been reported to improve joint range of motion in frozen shoulder. However, there is no information regarding the effect of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) in frozen shoulder. We proposed that there would be no significant difference between the two manual physical therapy techniques with relatively similar treatment effects in the frozen shoulder.Objectives:The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare the effectiveness of IASTM and joint mobilization in the treatment of patients with frozen shoulder.Methods:Thirty patients with phase II frozen shoulder (mean age 50,9 years, age range 39–65 years) were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups: Group I received joint mobilization combined with manual stretching exercise and Group II received IASTM with manual stretching exercise (two days per week for six weeks) (Figure 1). The pain level was evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the active range of motion (ROM) was measured with a universal goniometer. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score and the Constant-Murley score were used for functional assessment. The assessments were performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention.Figure 1.Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue MobilizationResults:Both groups had a significant decrease in pain according to VAS and a significant increase in ROM and function level (p<0.05). After the 6-week intervention, improvement of shoulder abduction ROM in Group I was found significantly higher than Group II (p=0.01), on the other hand, Constant-Murley score in Group II was found significantly higher compared to Group I (p=0,001).Conclusion:Our results supported the hypothesis that either joint mobilization or IASTM, performed in addition to stretching exercise, provided similar improvements in pain levels in patients with the frozen shoulder.References:[1]Kelley MJ, Shaffer MA, Kuhn JE, Michener LA, Seitz AL, Uhl TL, et al. Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis, J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 2013:43:1-31.[2]Celik D, Kaya Mutlu E.Does AddingMobilization toStretchingImprove Outcomes for People with Frozen Shoulder? A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial, Clin Rehab, 2016: 30(8): 786-794.[3]Iked N, Otsuka S, Kawanishi Y, Kawakami Y. Effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Musculoskeletal Properties, Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2019:51(10): 2166-2172.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hio Teng Leong ◽  
Siu Ngor Fu

Context:Reduction of the subacromial space (SAS) during arm elevation may contribute to rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy. The effects of scapular taping on the SAS in athletes with and without RC tendinopathy are unknown.Objective:To investigate the immediate effects of scapular taping on the SAS in athletes with and without RC tendinopathy.Design:Randomized controlled study with repeated measures.Setting:University laboratory.Participants:A total of 43 male volleyball players (17 asymptomatic and 26 with RC tendinopathy, mean age = 22.9 [3.5] y) participated in the study.Intervention:Three scapular taping protocols—no taping (control), taping with tension (therapeutic taping), and taping without tension (sham taping).Main Outcome Measures:Ultrasound measurements of the SAS with the arm at 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction, and the change in the SAS between 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction (SAS0°–60°) were calculated.Results:Athletes with RC tendinopathy demonstrated larger SAS with therapeutic taping at 60° of shoulder abduction (6.9 [1.9] mm vs 5.8 [1.7] mm, mean difference = 1.1 mm, 95% confidence interval, −1.80 to −0.39,P = .002) when compared with the no taping condition. The tendinopathy group also showed less reduction in the SAS with therapeutic taping during SAS0°–60°(2.0 [1.4] mm vs 2.8 [1.4] mm,P = .02) when compared with the no taping condition. When tape was applied to the scapula in asymptomatic athletes, our results showed a relatively small increase in the SAS with therapeutic taping during arm resting at 0° of abduction when compared with the no taping condition (8.7 [0.9] mm vs 8.3 [0.8] mm, mean difference = 0.4 mm, 95% confidence interval, −0.71 to −0.11,P = .01).Conclusions:Athletes with RC tendinopathy demonstrated less reduction of the SAS with rigid scapular taping during early arm abduction. Such observation was not evidenced in asymptomatic athletes.


2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley T. Hayes ◽  
Rod A. Harter ◽  
Jeffrey J. Widrick ◽  
Daniel P. Williams ◽  
Mark A. Hoffman ◽  
...  

Context:Static stretching is commonly used during the treatment and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries to increase joint range of motion (ROM) and muscle flexibility. Understanding the physiological adaptations that occur in the neuromuscular system as a result of long-term stretching may provide insight into the mechanisms responsible for changes in flexibility.Objective:To examine possible neurological origins and adaptations in the Ia-reflex pathway that allow for increases in flexibility in ankle ROM, by evaluating the reduction in the synaptic transmission of Ia afferents to the motoneuron pool.Design:Repeated-measures, case-controlled study.Setting:Sports medicine research laboratory.Participants:40 healthy volunteers with no history of cognitive impairment, neurological impairment, or lower extremity surgery or injury within the previous 12 mo.Intervention:Presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms were evaluated with a chronic stretching protocol. Twenty subjects stretched 5 times a wk for 6 wk. All subjects were measured at baseline, 3 wk, and 6 wk.Main Outcome Measures:Ankle-dorsiflexion ROM, Hmax:Mmax, presynaptic inhibition, and disynaptic reciprocal inhibition.Results:Only ROM had a significant interaction between group and time, whereas the other dependent variables did not show significant differences. The experimental group had significantly improved ROM from baseline to 3 wk (mean 6.2 ± 0.9, P < .001), 3 wk to 6 wk (mean 5.0 ± 0.8, P < .001), and baseline to 6 wk (mean 11.2 ±0.9, P < .001).Conclusions:Ankle dorsiflexion increased by 42.25% after 6 wk of static stretching, but no significant neurological changes resulted at any point of the study, contrasting current literature. Significant neuromuscular origins of adaptation do not exist in the Ia-reflex-pathway components after a long-term stretching program as currently understood. Thus, any increases in flexibility are the result of other factors, potentially mechanical changes or stretch tolerance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Oliver ◽  
Lee Stoner ◽  
David S. Rowlands ◽  
Aaron R. Caldwell ◽  
Elizabeth Sanders ◽  
...  

Curcumin, a turmeric extract, may protect against cardiovascular diseases by enhancing endothelial function. In this randomized controlled double-blind parallel prospective study, fifty-nine healthy adults were assigned to placebo, 50 mg (50 mg), or 200 mg (200 mg) curcumin, for 8 weeks. The higher curcumin (200 mg) supplementation produced a dose-mediated improvement in endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). The outcome was a clinically substantial 3.0% increase (90% CI 0.7 to 5.3%,p=0.032; benefit : harm odds ratio 546 : 1) with the 200 mg dose, relative to placebo. The 50 mg dose also increased FMD relative to placebo by 1.7% (−0.6 to 4.0%,p=0.23; 25 : 1), but the outcome was not clinically decisive. In apparently healthy adults, 8 weeks of 200 mg oral curcumin supplementation resulted in a clinically meaningful improvement in endothelial function as measured by FMD. Oral curcumin supplementation may present a simple lifestyle strategy for decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This trial was registered at ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN90184217).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document